Review- Free Comic Book Day Reviews Part Three

Free Comic Book Day Reviews Part Three

I have been lackadaisical in my reviews and did not do a Free Comic Book Day overview this year. Rather than do one at this late date, I'm just going to list two stores with each batch of Free Comic Book Day comic reviews. Please note that the comics reviewed did not necessarily come from the shop listed in this review, nor does the shop endorse these reviews.

Not all of the comics that I'll be reviewing over the three parts of my Free Comic Book Day reviews will be FCBD editions. Some are singles that I paid for on FCBD while others were offered for free as part of the FCBD festivities. I always pick something up at each shop, as those free comics aren't free to retailers and vultures are lame.

In this third and final part of my overview and review of this year's FCBD festivities I'll go over the last of the five stores that we hit on our journey across two counties as well as review for another batch of comic books.

Big Ben's Comix Oasis in Allen Park, MI, has been serving the populace for over three decades now, which is pretty crazy to think about. I remember the humble beginnings of this store as the Book Bank, when it had used books and few card tables filled with back issues and quarter boxes along with a few racks of new comics. I watched the place carry less books and more comics...move into the downtown area of Allen Park into a bigger store with still more comics...move two other times and finally into it's current incarnation, where it is arguably the largest comic book store if not in all of Michigan, then in the Metro Detroit area for certain.

My hatchlings.

Keyser Soze: Scorched Earth/ The Rift Free Comic Book Day 2017 (Red 5, cover date May, 2017)

Keyser Soze is a pretty cool concept, although you get very little about the gist of it across the 16 pages of story included here. Modern comics give the artwork plenty of room to breathe. The downside is that it takes multiple issues to hammer your point home. This is a risky game in the $3.99-4.99 age of comic books. Time is money, money is tight, and attention spans are short.

The Rift seems solid if unoriginal. A rift in time brings a WWII pilot into the modern day. It's nothing that hasn't been done a million times before. I'd read it for free from the library.

The Walking Dead #163 Cover A (Image, cover date February, 2017)

Unless you have just woken up from a coma, you know about The Walking Dead. It's as culturally pervasive as superheroes. I read the first eleven issues years ago and failed to see what the hype was all about, as I disliked Kirkman's decompressed style of writing.

Credit where credit is due: This issue is great. Worlds better than the earlier issues, both in writing and artwork. I have reassessed my opinion of The Walking Dead and now can see why everyone is gaga* over it.

*I was reluctant to use the word gaga, as Lady Gaga kind of ruined the word for me. But then I thought about how Lady Gaga admits that she stole the word from Queen's Radio Gaga, which is where I stole it from before she came around, so I will retain my homage to Queen and keep using the word.

Vampirella #0 (Vol. 4) (Dynamite, cover date, February, 2017)

I'm not a huge Vampirella fan (even though I own all 15 Archives), but this was some good stuff! I'm not hip to her continuity or story beyond the fourth Archive (where I stalled on my marathon) so I can't say what is what, but as far as picking up this comic book, reading it, and deciding if I liked it, this worked.

Free Comic Book Day 2017: General (Dark Horse, cover date, May, 2017)

Why on Earth would Dark Horse title this book General in the indicia?

The Avatar sequel is like Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy, promised and repeatedly delayed for so long that it has become a joke. Not only that, but expectations will be heaped so high on it that it can't help but disappoint. Nobody is going to care by the time that it comes out. That said, the comic is pretty good and beautifully illustrated. I like Avatar, I just think that it's James Cameron's white whale.

Briggs Land is not my cup of tea. Your mileage may vary.

Z2 Comics- Free Comic Book Day 2017 (Z2, cover date, May, 2017)

The Ballad Of Franklin Bonisteel (Or “The Shreveport Kid”) has a completely unique and fresh feel to it, even if the concept goes over well tread ground. I'll keep my eyes open for this one. The back-up feature, Murder Ballads, isn't awful but it isn't anything I would pick up, either.

Tex Patagonia FCBD Color Edition (Epicenter, cover date May, 2017)

While comic books are an American invention (comic books, not the comic strip), our friends across the pond have been exploring and blazing their own trail with fascinating results. European culture is of course different from American culture, so it should come as no surprise that their comic writers and artists approach the artform completely different than we do.

Epicenter has been bringing us colorized English language translations of European favorites. This is every bit as good as their other offerings, Magic Wind and Zagor, also both popular overseas but completely unknown in North America.

Tex is set in the 19^th century. There is a similar thread with Magic Wind in that he is an outsider of a different race who becomes equal to the indigenous population through a test or event. If you enjoy stories set in the Old West or Mexico then this is for you. European comics have a clear, brisk layout without sacrificing character development. American comics have aped this format over the past 15 years but haven't quite figured it out yet. Tex is definitely worth checking out.

Crossed + One Hundred #1-3 (Avatar Press, cover dates November, 2014- February, 2015)

I was a huge Crossed fan, reading it for quite a while until I got bored with it. Then I heard that Alan Moore was writing a new series set 100 years into the future of the original outbreak. The thing with comic books is that there are so many being fired at you from every publisher, week after week, that it is impossible to keep up with it all. I snagged these three issues out of a dollar box at a local comic store.

Without going into the plot or providing a synopsis (which is what most “reviews” really are: book reports), I'll get to the meat of the problem with this series, at least as far as the first three issues are concerned. There is zero sense of urgency. At no point in time do the Crossed pose a threat for more than two pages in any of these issues. It's your typical, boring post-apocalyptic scenario, with civilization rebuilding itself in the aftermath of a catastrophe. I expected better from Alan Moore. I expected more from Alan Moore.

None of the characters are the least bit engaging. I cared so little for any of them that I kept waiting for the Crossed to kill any or all of them off so that I wouldn't have to trudge through their story any more. Alan Moore has all of the characters speak in the newly evolved slang, which was neat for about five pages but quickly became grating.

I have no resolution for this arc, and I don't even care to go online and find a synopsis for closure. I simply don't care. Imagine a conversation with someone boring, where your mind trails off but they keep on rambling. That's what Crossed + One Hundred is. The fact that Alan Moore is attached to it only adds insult to injury. Oh well. At least I'm only out three bucks. 

Review- ZAGOR: TERROR FROM THE SEA

ZAGOR: TERROR FROM THE SEA (Epicenter, First Printing, 2015; Softcover)

Collects Zagor #386-388 (cover dates September- November, 1997)

Writer: Mauro Boselli

Artist: Stefano Andreucci

Colorist: (Originally published in black and white) Not listed

Epicenter has been bringing European fan favorites to the English-speaking world over the past few years, and we are all better off for it. Zagor has been published in Europe for over 50 years but is essentially unknown to North American audiences.

Zagor is a pretty cool concept that borrows from so many places that it comes off as an original enough work. `There is a definite H.P Lovecraft influence with Dagon and it's respective cult. Andrew Cain, a puritan on a quest to kill all evil just like his ancestor, is a wafer thin doppelganger for Solomon Kane. There are other bits and pieces lovingly borrowed from other sources, and it all works when blended together.

I'm not sure when this series takes place. There are swords and firearms as well as blowtorches, although there is no electricity or telephones. There are no automobiles, as everything is horse and buggy, so my best guess would be the 19^th century. It does take place in Darkwood, USA, so we know that it is after 1776 at least.

Since the series had been published for over 35 years when these issues (or albums, as the European comics are sometimes referred to) were originally published, there is little to no introduction to these characters. You are just thrust into the story and left to try and figure out who is who along the way. While all of the characters are given motives, ironically it is Zagor who seems to be the one without any real motive or explanation as to how he got to where he is.

Andrew Cain, not Solomon Kane.

Zagor is a fast paced, action packed read that is light on dialogue and heavy on fun. My friend gave me this book, and while I recommend it as a read please refer to binding issues which I've addressed in the OCD zone below.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 5 out of 5.

The OCD zone- This book is published in the GN-TPB size, meaning that it's trim size is the same as a Dark Horse Omnibus. The size has a lot of detractors, but I am not one of them. I enjoy books this size, as they are easy to handle and the material is not shrunk down so small that you cannot read it.

Linework and Color restoration: No comment on the linework, as I have no source material to compare it to. The computer recoloring of material that was originally presented in black and white is tasteful, using effects sparingly.

There are numerous typos and grammatical errors throughout this book.

Paper stock: Glossy coated stock.

It didn't look like that when I started reading it...

Binding: Sewn binding, which doesn't mean squat on a softcover. The signatures became separated from the glue piece and, as you can see here, this book was falling apart on the first read. I imagine that this is easily fixed with acid free library glue, but it is certainly a cause for concern.

Cardstock cover notes: Matte finish, resistant to scuffs.

Reviews- LEONARD STARR'S MARY PERKINS ON STAGE VOL. 2 and MAGIC WIND VOL. 4: THE BEAST

 LEONARD STARR'S MARY PERKINS ON STAGE VOL. 2 (Classic Comics Press, 2007; Softcover)

Collects the Mary Perkins On Stage strips originally published on January 12, 1958- April 19, 1959

Writer and Artist: Leonard Starr

This is where more and more of my comic buying dollar is going to these days: the classic comic strip. Characterization is king, with story being the center of attention. Starr makes every single character believable and makes you care what happens to them whether you like them or not. Starr's beautiful artwork is heavy on the photo realism while not relying on Photoshop. In other words, pure craftmanship. If gimmicks and crossovers bore you then come and join me over here. You may like what you find.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 5 out of 5.

The OCD zone

Linework/ restoration: Excellent, with many strips taken from proof sheets.

Paper stock: Uncoated stock.

Binding: Perfect bound trade paperback.

Cardstock cover notes: Slightly glossy coating.

MAGIC WIND VOL. 4: THE BEAST (Epicenter, 2014; Softcover)

Collects Magic Wind #4 (cover date October, 1997)

Writer: Gianfranco Manfredi

Artist: Pasquale Frisenda

Colorist: Laura Piazza

Italian comics are a new thing for us Americans, as the English language translations have just started creeping over here during the past couple of years. They are a more violent, more mature outing than our spandex-clad superhero comics. Epicenter has been licensing the newly colored versions from the European market for the English speaking world with fresh translations...albeit with several typos along the way. Good stuff regardless.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 4 out of 5.

The OCD zone

Paper stock: Glossy coated stock.

Binding: Sewn binding.

Cardstock cover notes: Matte coating which had a scuff or two by the time that I was done with it, and I handle my books gingerly. 

Review- MIRACLE

MIRACLE (Epicenter, 2013; Softcover)

Collects Mirakul (originally published in Croatia in 2012)

Writer and Artist: Davor Raddja

Curse you, Internet! High on the heady nectar of Magic Wind, I looked into Epicenter Comics' other offerings and stumbled upon this late one night. Sleep deprived and too lazy to do research, I ordered it because it was cheap via Amazon. I should have known that if InStockTrades didn't bother carrying it that it must not have been worthwhile. A word to the wise, folks: always always always Google the name of artists on unknown quantities like this. Save yourself some money and some regrets, folks.

This book was originally published in Croatia after starting out as a webcomic. It was redrawn from that, and supposedly the artist had improved, according to the introduction. This is comic book amateur hour, boys and girls. The artwork is laughably bad, and while the story is mediocre, the ending really sucks balls. This was a complete waste of time and money. Avoid this book at all costs unless you hate your money...and if you do, I will be selling this on eBay at some point, so please buy mine.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 0.25 out of 5.

Luckily for you this not available to buy at InStockTrades, so click on the link and buy something good.

The OCD zone- Epicenter makes quality books.

DVD-style Extras included in this book: Introduction by Igor Maricic. (2 pages)

Paper rating: 5 out of 5. Thick uncoated stock paper.

Binding rating: 4.5 out of 5. Smyth sewn binding, seven stitches per signature.

Cardstock cover coating rating: 4.25 out of 5. Dull matte finish with spot varnishing. The portions without the spot varnishing seem fairly durable.

Review- MAGIC WIND VOL. 3: LADY CHARITY

MAGIC WIND VOL. 3: LADY CHARITY (Epicenter, 2013; Softcover)

Note: Book actually released in 2014

Collects Magic Wind No. 3 (originally published in black and white as Magico Vento #3 in Italy in September, 1997)

Writer: Gianfranco Manfrdi

Artist: Jose Ortiz

Colorist: Elisa Moriconi

Willie Richards, a.k.a Poe, the shamed Chicago newspaper reporter on the run who has befriended Magic Wind, decides to go back home from the west to report his story. Unfortunately for him his enemies are many, including the publisher of the newspaper. Poe encounters a seemingly altruistic group of underground reporters who supposedly use their findings to put pressure on power players in order to keep them in place. Amelia Sinclair, a.k.a. Lady Charity, is a wealthy well-to-do who is the head of this group. Things are not always what they seem, and Poe again blunders into trouble. Poe, a non-believer in the magic of the Native Americans, is once again saved by it. Poe is more of the focus of this book than Magic Wind. 

Jose Ortiz is no stranger to fans of '70s comics. The work that he did on various DC Comics and Warren Magazines like Creepy and Eerie are just the tip of the iceberg of his body of work, though. He was a truly global comic artist, working for the US, UK, and European comic industries independent of one another. He passed away only a few months ago.

These fully colored English language translations of Magic Wind can't come out fast enough for my tastes. While European fans have read the entire 100 plus book run, we English speaking folk are getting one every few months.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 5 out of 5.

The OCD zone- The print quality of this book leaves something to be desired. There is a powdery feel to some of the pages. Indeed, my fingertips have a black film on them after reading this entire book, not unlike after I read a newspaper. Since this book was made in China lord only knows what bizarre chemical compound they used to make the ink. Lead paint chips? Broken asbestos tiles? Mercury from recalled thermometers? Industrial heavy metal waste?

DVD-style Extras included in this book: The original European cover is included inside.

Paper rating: 5 out of 5. The paper itself is of super heavy weight. It is the ink which is weird feeling.

Binding rating: 4 out of 5. Sewn binding on a trade paperback always makes me smile. There are 6 stitches per signature. The binding is stiff, making this a two-fisted read.

Cardstock cover coating rating: 5 out of 5. Dull matte finish, resistant to scuffs.

InStockTrades never received this book for reasons unknown, but Volume 2 is still available!

Review- MAGIC WIND VOL. 2: CLAWS

MAGIC WIND VOL. 2: CLAWS (Epicenter, 2013; Softcover)

Collects Magic Wind No. 2 (cover date August, 1997)

Writer: Gianfranco Manfredi

Artists: Giuseppe Barbati and Bruno Ramella

Colorist: Sergio Algozzino

When a giant eagle swoops down and steals a child from the Sioux, it is up to the white man that the tribe has accepted as one of their own, Magic Wind, to try and right things. The tribe is in disarray, with everyone blaming one another. This is a story about betrayal on a very human level, but it is the mystical and supernatural elements which add spice to the proceedings.

We see Magic Wind and Poe become a sort of Sherlock Holmes and Watson type pair of sleuth/adventurers this time out, with Poe becoming more of the comic relief. I really enjoyed the werewolf aspect, even though I always thought of werewolves as more of a European thing. In any case, this was great and I am in for volume 3. 

These roughly 100 page “issues” were originally issued in Italy in the European album format. There are 123 of these released to date overseas, but they are in black and white while the North American English language translations are being presented in color for the very first time. We are now 2 down, with only 121 more to go!

Junk Food For Thought rating: 4.5 out of 5.

The OCD zone- Epicenter makes really nice books.

DVD-style Extras included in this book: None.

Paper rating: 5 out of 5. Beautiful, thick glossy 105 pound paper stock.

Binding rating: 4.5 out of 5. I heart sewn bindings on softcovers.

Cardstock cover coating rating: 4 out of 5. The cover has that dull matte finish coating which seems to be all the rage with the kids these days. I'm not crazy about it myself. Having said that, this dull matte coating is of the scuff resistant variety, so we will just have to chalk this up to being not my cup of tea.

Buy MAGIC WIND VOL. 2: CLAWS at InStockTrades!